New bill would help Washington nurses get treatment for PTSD

Mental health struggles reported by nurses cover a wide spectrum, from PTSD, to workplace burnout, to depression and anxiety. In a February survey of 1,200 nurses done by three state nurse unions, including the Washington State Nurses Association, at least half of the nurses said they are likely to leave the profession in the next few years.

David Jacob Garcia, a registered nurse in a critical access hospital in Sunnyside, Washington, since 2016, said SB 5454 would help with retaining nursing staff. He said he’s seen experienced nurses with five to 10 years of experience leaving the profession in droves.

“It feels like it should be a no-brainer,” Garcia said. “It’s super important for us to be able to expand workers’ compensation for PTSD to make sure that nurses can get the care if they need it.”